July 24, 2011
Morning Service

Philippians 2

 

Review:

1. The Apostle Paul, after his conversion, recorded in Acts chapter 9, around the year 37AD, went into Arabia for three years then returned to Damascus of Syria, where he became good friends with Barnabas. 
2. Paul makes three missionary journeys, while on his second trip with Silas, who has since replaced Barnabas as his traveling companion, receives a vision from God while at Troas in N.E. Turkey.  It was a man calling him to come over into Macedonia.  Paul assuredly believed it was from God telling him to go into that area and preach the gospel.  This was some 14 years from his conversion, AD51.
3. We mentioned last week what a powerful, and exciting start the churches in this area had.  Ephesians in Acts 19, and Philippians in Acts 16.  Also, in this area we find Thessalonica, Corinth, and Athens Greece.  Some very exciting times for spreading the gospel.
4. Now some 11years later, AD61, Paul finds himself in prison at Rome, and he is writing what is commonly known as the prison epistles.  These letters are to Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae.
5. As we study these Scriptures, we learn what the will of God is for mankind.  Certain Scriptures will become part of our everyday thoughts to bring us to a closer relationship with our God:

Authority of the Bible.

• 2Ti 3:16 KJVR  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
• The Bible is the living Word of God.  God’s revealed plan for mankind.

Authority of Paul’s writings.

• 1Co 14:37 KJVR  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

The importance of faith.

• Heb 11:6 KJVR  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

How to get that faith.

• Rom 10:17 KJVR  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

As we continue in the letter to the Philippians, we remember the good times, and the bad times that the Apostle had in this area.   Lydia, beaten, and prison, the Philippian jailer. 

• In chapter one Paul gives thanks, and prays for the churches growth.
• He reminds them of his sufferings at Philippi, and tells them it was for the furtherance of the gospel.
• He tells them that they can expect some persecutions as they live for the Lord, and to stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

 

Chapter two:

Exhortation to humility:

Phi 2:1-4 KJVR  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  (2)  Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3)  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

• Paul’s desires for the church are as if God Himself is instructing us to be like this.
• Hopefully we can see the attributes that God wants us to have.  LOVE, FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT, MERCY, BEING OF ONE ACCORD, OF ONE MIND.
• Nothing to be done through STRIFE, OR VAINGLORY, but in LOWLINESS OF MIND, let each esteem OTHERS BETTER THAN THEMSELVES.  Taking care of our own needs, but ALSO HELPING OTHERS WHO ARE IN NEED.

Christ’s example of humility:

Phi 2:5-16 KJVR  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

• How can I have the mind of Christ?     By saturating your mind with the Word of God.  You see we are the sons, and daughters of Almighty God.   IJn. 3:1.  We should possess His genes, and attributes.

NOTICE;   WHO WAS VERY GOD, BUT;

(7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

• He was very God, but did not get all puffed up about it.  HUMBLE.  A lesson for Christians.  There is no place of arrogance in the life of a Christian.  We are nothing but sinners saved by the grace of God.
• We are definitely fashioned as a man.  But God has given us the ability to overcome our weaknesses.  That is why we are encouraged at conversion to put off the old man, that is, this body of fleshly weaknesses, and attributes of the world.
• We too can humble ourselves, and become obedient unto death.
• Look at the rewards for doing this.

(9)  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:  (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

• We also will receive a reward of exaltation for being obedient.  We become joint heirs with Christ;

Rom 8:17 KJVR  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

• There is definitely something in a name.  Just as the Name of Jesus represents the authority of God Almighty, our name as Christian should be very meaningful to us.  It means to be Christ like, and to be Christ like, as we are seeing this morning means a life of HUMILITY, SUFFERING, AND OBEDIENCE.  DO WE CARRY THE NAME OF CHRISTIAN WITH GREAT RESPECT TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST?  ARE WE TRYING OUR BEST TO BE THAT PURE, AND HOLY BRIDE THAT HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ON CALVARY?

Eph 5:25 KJVR  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Eph 5:27 KJVR  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

• What a challenge!  And this is what the world should see when it looks at Christians, HOLY, AND WITHOUT BLEMISH.   HUMILITY, AND OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD.
• Peter said this concerning the Name of Jesus;

Act 4:12 KJVR  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

• The Apostle Paul said;  Col 3:17 KJVR  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

(12)  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

• Here we see obedience again;
• Then the instruction to work out your own salvation. 
• We have found in our Wednesday evening studies that the people, after the death of Joshua, began to do what was right in their own eyes.  This brought about destruction, and failure to the children of Israel.  Doing what was right in their own eyes, and forgetting the law of God.
• When Paul said “work out your own salvation”, he didn’t mean, do what you think is okay.  He meant this;  2Ti 3:15 KJVR  And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
• GOD HAS A PLAN, AND IT IS REVEALED WITHIN THE PAGES OF HIS HOLY WORD.

(13)  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

• IF YOU LET HIM!

(14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  (16)  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.

• We close this morning with this challenge from the Apostle.  Don’t be a murmurer, or argumentative.  But be blameless, and harmless.  Humble, and a servant to mankind.  YOU WILL SHINE FORTH AS GREAT LIGHT, to a lost and dying world.
• HOLD FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE, POINT PEOPLE TO THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD.  JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD.

FATHER GIVE US THE DESIRE TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS.